How to protect your cat from ticks

Learn about tick bites, removing ticks and tick repellent as well as prevention methods for cats.

Always ensure that choose a tick repellent or prevention method that is approved for use on cats.

Protect your cat with tick repellants

You can protect your cat against ticks with the help of various products that can be bought at pharmacies. Some are over-the-counter while others require a prescription from the vet.

You can also prevent ticks (tick prophylaxis) using special collars, spot-on drops or tablets.

Tick prevention tablets for cats

These are given to your cat orally – you put them in their mouth. The effect lasts for 4 weeks.

Spot-on tick protection for cats

You apply the spot-on directly to the cat's skin. Remember, some spot-on solutions are toxic to cats, for example spot-on solutions that are meant for dogs. So be sure to use one that is approved for use on cats. Some spot-on solutions are available over the counter and can be bought at pharmacies – others are prescribed. The effect lasts 3-12 weeks depending on the spot-on solution.

Tick agent for kittens

There are some tick solutions that are considered safe to use on kittens from a certain age (very rarely before 8 weeks). Many of these tick solutions can also only be used once your kitten has reached a certain weight. It is therefore important to consult your vet (and follow the instructions on the packet.

Tick collars for cats

Tick collars are placed around the cat's neck and have full effect within a couple of days. Although tick collars are not the best option if you have several animals or small children in your house – as they might play and bite the collar, which is toxic. Tick collars are not an option to recommend if there are several animals in the household that might play and bite the collar.

Make sure you choose a tick collar that is approved for cats. Tick collars for cats are can be purchased at pharmacies and in general stores. The effects last for about 8 months.

Things to consider before using tick repellent or protection on your cat

Be sure to think about:

Any diseases and sensitivities your cat may have
Environmental aspects
Your cat’s fur type and condition
Whether you have any children in the household
Other pets (e.g. puppies, kittens, etc.)
The presence of ticks and the infectious diseases that spread in your area.

How to remove a tick

A tick is most easily removed with a tick picker:

Choose the appropriate size of the tick picker to get the entire tick
Insert the picker under the tick, as close to the skin as possible
Remove the tick. If the entire tick is not removed, the head may remain, which can cause a local reaction This usually disappears within a few days.

The pharmacy has a large assortment of hooks, lasso and tweezers. Tweezers are easy to use, but be aware that tweezers can crush the tick. The lasso automatically pinches the loop around the tick's head, but for smaller ticks that are difficult to remove, a hook usually works best.

Check your cat daily for ticks

Cats often "pick" off the ticks themselves by washing themselves thoroughly. However, get into the habit of searching the cat's fur daily and using tick repellents. On the neck, it is common for pet owners to find ticks on cats, as it is more difficult for the cat to access that area. Of you find a tick, remove it immediately.

Tick-borne diseases in cats

It is unusual for cats to suffer from diseases as a result of tick bites. Cats can indeed be infected and develop antibodies against the Lyme bacterium, but clinical disease as a result of the infection has not been verified in cats.

If a cat becomes infected via ticks, it is probably from the Anaplasma bacteria. Cats tend to get sick from Anaplasma bacteria. However, it is more common for a cat to be infected without symptoms.

Check out our article on preventative healthcare for your pets - to learn more about things like tick prevention, vaccinations, neutering and worming.

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About the Author

Amanda Andersson is a content writer Agria Djurförsäkring in Sweden, specialising in animal welfare. Previous experience includes Volvo on Demand, and 60plusbanken in Sweden.